Transferring a domain to Squarespace

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Transferring a domain to Squarespace

Last updated September 18, 2023 17:41

Move a domain from a third-party provider, like GoDaddy or Google Domains.

You can transfer a domain you've already purchased from a third-party provider to Squarespace. When you transfer your domain, you can manage all of your domain settings and billing from your Squarespace account. You can transfer the domain to a trial site or a paid site.

If you don’t have a site yet, you can start with a domain transfer. If you're trying to move a Squarespace domain to a different Squarespace site, visit Moving a domain to another Squarespace site. This step-by-step guide reviews how to transfer a domain registered elsewhere to Squarespace.

This guide explains the step-by-step process of transferring a domain into Squarespace.

Tip: We also have a list of provider-specific guides you can follow instead of this guide.

Before you begin

Ensure your domain meets the transfer requirements.
If you want your domain to link to your site before transferring it, follow the connection steps first.
Contact your current email provider to learn if they require any information from you before moving your domain to Squarespace.
If you're transferring a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) such as .com.au or .uk, review all transfer requirements first. To learn more about a specific ccTLD's requirements, visit Domain TLD list.
If your domain has a domain name system security extension (DNSSEC) record in place, delete the record before starting the transfer. These records can cause the transfer to fail.

Transfer requirements

Before getting started, ensure your domain is eligible for transfer. If you’re not sure if your domain meets these rules, check with your current registrar.

The domain’s TLD needs to be on our supported TLD list. A TLD is the part of the URL that follows the last period, such as .com.
The domain needs to be registered or transferred to the current provider for at least 60 days.
The domain needs to be active with your current provider. If your domain is past due, or might expire during the transfer, ask your provider if it's eligible for transfer before starting the process.

Ineligible domains

These types of domains can't transfer to Squarespace:

Registry premium domains
Domains with nine or more years remaining on their current registration
Subdomains (if you enter a subdomain and click to transfer it, we'll attempt to transfer the root domain to Squarespace)
Domains that include the words "squarespace" or "sqsp"

If your domain can't transfer to Squarespace, you can try connecting it to your site instead.

Provider-specific guides

Instead of following the general instructions on this page, you can use one of these step-by-step guides for transferring domains from the following providers:

Available ccTLDs

Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) follow different rules than most other TLDs we offer. The list below shows which ccTLDs are available for purchase through Squarespace and where you can find the specific requirements and features for each ccTLD.

Australia: .au and .com.au domains
Canada: .ca domains
Cocos (Keeling) Islands: .cc domains
European Union: .eu domains
France: .fr domains
Germany: .de domains
India: .co.in domains
Italy: .it domains
Japan: .jp domains
Mexico: .mx and .com.mx domains
New Zealand: .nz and .co.nz domains
Palau: .pw domains
Poland: .pl domains
The Netherlands: .nl domains
United Kingdom: .co.uk, .org.uk and .uk domains
United States: .us domains

If you're interested in a ccTLD that isn't included in the list, you can register one with a third-party provider and connect it to your Squarespace site instead.

Step 1 - Unlock your domain

Follow your current provider’s instructions to unlock your domain and make it available for transfer. Your domain can’t transfer while locked.

Certain country-specific domains, like .co.uk, .de, and .uk, can't be locked and won't need to be unlocked to transfer. If you aren't sure if your domain needs to be unlocked, contact your current provider.

Step 2 - Get the authorization code

Get the authorization code from your provider. This may also be called an “EPP code” or “transfer key.” You might find this in your provider’s settings, or they might email it. Some providers may need a day or two to generate this code, so we recommend requesting it as soon as you’ve unlocked your domain.

You’ll enter this code during the transfer process, so ensure you have access to it, or copy and paste it in a secure place.

Step 3 - Start the transfer and enter the authorization code

Begin the transfer process in your Squarespace site’s Domains panel:

Open the Domains panel for the Squarespace site you're transferring to..
Click Use a domain I own.
Enter the full domain name you’re transferring in the Enter domain field, then click the arrow.
Click Transfer Domain.
In the Authorization Code field, paste the authorization code, then click Save and Continue.

Step 4 - Review and confirm the registration details

In the Registration panel, confirm the contact information associated with the domain is correct. These fields automatically populate with registration information we detect from your Whois records with your original registrar. For help formatting these fields, visit Domain contact information.

Warning
Before changing any contact information, ask your provider if this locks your domain. Changing your domain contact information can lock the domain for 60 days and prevent transfers. If you changed your domain's contact information recently, ensure that the domain didn't lock.

To review and edit the registration details:

Ensure that the address shown in the Email Address field is correct, as this is how we’ll notify you that your transfer is complete.
Make any necessary changes to the information. Your changes will update on your Whois records when your transfer is complete.
When everything looks correct and all required fields are complete, click Save and Continue.

Tips

To ensure a smooth transition, the person listed as the domain administrator should handle the transfer.

If you’re the domain administrator, ensure the administrator email address listed in the contact information for your domain is accurate and accessible. You’ll use this email address to approve the transfer.

For help with checking your domain’s contact information settings, contact your domain provider.

Step 5 - Enter or review your payment information

In the Payment Information panel, the card attached to your site appears as the payment method. If your site is on a trial, you'll enter your credit card information. When everything looks correct, click Save and Continue.

If you have any trouble entering your credit card information, ensure you're using a payment method we accept.

Step 6 - Review your order

In the Review Order panel, you'll see the details of the transfer. By transferring your domain to Squarespace, you’ll be charged for one additional year of domain registration with Squarespace. Pricing is based on your domain’s TLD and may be free if you’re eligible.

To confirm the transfer:

Review the payment information.
Confirm the total charge for one year of domain registration.
Review the terms near the bottom of the panel, including your domain’s new expiration date.
If everything looks correct, click Confirm and Purchase.
You'll see a message confirming you've initiated the transfer. Click Done to return to your Domains panel.

Step 7 - Check the transfer status and fix issues

Next, return to the Domains panel to confirm the transfer is in progress. If there's an issue with the domain, an error message will display.

To check the status of your transfer:

In the Domains panel, you'll see a "Transfer in progress" message under your domain.
Click your domain, then click Refresh status to see the current status.

Transfer status error messages

If your domain displays an error message, you can clear it depending on the message:

Domain is locked - This message displays if the domain is locked, which blocks the transfer. To fix the issue, log into your domain provider and unlock the domain. After unlocking the domain, this message will clear.
Authorization code needed - This message displays if your domain provider rejected the authorization code you entered in Step 3. To fix the issue, ensure the authorization code is correct, enter it in the error message's text field, then click Submit. We suggest copying and pasting the code for accuracy. After entering the correct authorization code, this message will clear.

Step 8 - Review DNS settings (optional)

While you wait for the transfer to complete, you can review your domain's DNS settings:

In the Home menu, click Settings, then click Domains.
Click the domain that's pending transfer, then click Edit DNS.
To delete records you no longer need, click the red trash can.
To create a new custom record for your domain, click Add record

As you review the DNS records, keep in mind:

While the domain is transferring, the DNS Settings panel can only display MX, TXT, A, CNAME, and SRV records. These records are imported from your domain provider. You can compare the records in the Squarespace DNS Settings panel to your provider's settings to determine if any are missing.
If you have a custom email address attached to your domain, leave the MX records in place.

Step 9 - Wait for the transfer to complete

The transfer needs time to process. Your previous provider should release the domain to Squarespace. If your domain transfer is still pending after 15 days, and you’ve correctly followed all the steps above, contact your provider for more details. This timing is out of Squarespace’s control.

While your transfer is in progress, we don't recommend adding a Google Workspace email account. Wait until your domain has finished transferring before adding any new integrations.

When the domain transfer is complete, you'll receive a "Thank you" email from customercare@squarespace.com, and the domain will appear in the Domains panel with a green label.

Moving email records

If you have a custom email address linked to your domain, your mail exchange (MX) records transfer to Squarespace along with your domain. Your MX records keep your email hosted with your current email provider.

Before transferring your domain to Squarespace, we recommend contacting your current email provider to ensure that there won’t be any restrictions or issues by moving to Squarespace. Some providers require keeping your domain hosted with them to keep your email account active. You may also want to back up any essential emails, contacts, or settings you may need.

Timing

Domain transfer speed depends on your current domain provider. Some domains transfer in one day, while others can take closer to 15 days to complete. To learn more, visit Domain transfer timing.

After your domain finishes transferring, it can take up to 72 hours for it to connect to your site. Though it usually connects much faster. To learn more about propagation time, visit Why domain updates take up to 72 hours.

Troubleshooting failed transfers

If your domain fails to transfer, you’ll get an email from Squarespace. This can happen if you entered wrong information in the registration field, entered the authorization code incorrectly, or for other reasons. For a full list of scenarios, see our FAQ.

Tips

For help communicating with your current provider, visit Requesting third-party domain help and review the "Transfer help" sections.

If you’re experiencing many of the above issues, you may want to keep your domain hosted with your current provider and connect it to Squarespace instead.

Cancel the transfer

If your domain transfer is pending, you may be able to cancel it. To learn more, visit Canceling a domain transfer.

Remove a failed transfer

If the transfer failed and you need to try again, you can remove the current transfer before starting over. While this step isn't necessary, removing a failed transfer can help you keep track of other pending transfers.

In the Home menu, click Settings, then click Domains. Or, if there's a ☰ in the top-left corner, open that menu and click Domains.
Click the domain under Transfers In Progress.
In the Transfer Error box, click Dismiss.

You may need to refresh your browser for the failed domain to disappear.

Pricing and billing

Here's how much it costs to transfer a domain to Squarespace and how registration works:

Pricing is based on the TLD. To find a domain's price, you can search for it on the domain name search page or your Domains panel. On the transfer checkout page you'll find the price for one year of domain service.
There's no extra fee for the transfer itself.
You'll keep the time remaining on your registration on top of the extra year you'll register through us.
If you're eligible, the additional year of registration could be free.
Your domain renews at the same price at the end of its registration term.
Your domain includes free Whois Privacy and SSL.

For more details, visit our Domain transfers FAQ.

Next steps

After the domain transfer is complete, you can:

Cancel your account with your previous domain provider if you no longer need it. You’ll now manage all domain settings and billing through Squarespace.
Set this as your primary domain.
Choose to hide the domain’s “www” prefix.
Review your site's SSL settings.
Add a custom email address through our integration with Google Workspace.
Register additional domains.
Review your domain invoice.
Transfer it away from Squarespace after 60 days.

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